On my most recent Seattle getaway, I learned about a new vegan-friendly* Seattle-must, Chu Minh Tofu & Veggie Deli, just a short drive/bus ride/or long stroll up S. Jackson from the International District station. I was awaiting my legitimate, $1 evening Boltbus ride to Vancouver, and made it my own very last must-visit on a trip that simply could not include enough tofu.

Chu Minh Tofu & Veggie Deli is just that, a Vietnamese deli, that sells fried, flavored and fresh tofu, hot and cold by-the-pound items, made-toorder banh mi sandwiches (vegan ones!), and more fun stuff in their refrigerated section. Somehow (I blame my fear of cilantro), some way, I decided against a cheap banh mi, of which I had heard great things about before and since this experience, silly me, and walked away with a dangerously large take-out container that would guarantee everyone else on my bus would 1) ridein jealousy 2) glare 3) have an easy conversation starter.

So. Full. of. Good. Food.

The welcoming woman behind the counter talked me through the numerous, intriguing and delicious-smelling options, providing complimentary tastes of ‘fish’ skin and roasted ‘pork’, which brought me back to a similarly fascinating vegan Laotian & Vietnamese buffet I’d stumbled upon in Vientiane last winter, Khoudain. All of those smokey, salty, dry textures…simply fascinating. And that’s not all, my box also included brown rice, steamed cabbage, red curry, chili fried tofu, a tofu skin roll and a sugarcane drumstick, all for maybe $6?

More below.

Tofu rollin’

I’ll admit….my other poor decision, besides the lack of banh mi action (I’m sorry, bff!) was the Bolyan birch beer to accompany my first taste of the box (not sold at Chu Minh, however). Gross city…I mean, not for me.

Sugarcane drumsticks: blowing vegan minds since who knows how long?

Chu Minh Tofu & Veggie Deli: I’m so talking team VVC into a visit after the Tech Seminar. They’ve been warned.

*Let me note: I’ve seen it referenced as all vegan online, and I didn’t spy anything that worried me, but I’ll add a little 99% veganish since I don’t speak Vietnamese and there’s always that teeny tiny nervousness when ordering the fauxes. Unless someone can prove otherwise.

5 thoughts on “Seattle Spotlight: Chu Minh Tofu & Veggie Deli”

Those look so much like the Brooklyn Foodswings Drumsticks!! WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?! i don’t know about these, but the ones from foodswings are the most delicious things ever! I’m excited that we’ll be able to access them in Seattle now!🙂

derrick hachey said:October 9, 2012 at 7:59 pm

The only thing that keeps it from being 100% vegan is that they offer milk for thai iced tea. Chu Mihn rules!